How is it that an ancient story could give us hope for today? In this message, Ben Stuart walks us through the familiar Easter story in scripture and shares how it provides us with comfort for suffering, a reason for living, an anchor for justice, and hope for the future.
Key Takeaway
God gives us comfort for suffering, a reason for living, an anchor for justice, and hope for the future.
- A comfort for suffering. God did not just enter our story. He entered our pain, suffering, and death for us. The maker of all cares about us.
- A reason for living. We believe what happened to Him and that it had implications for me. There's a barrier to us that He crosses for us. It's one thing to believe there's a God up there. It's another thing to feel the ache of eternity in our hearts, longing for a connection. But hearing this endless ache points to that limitless source is something else entirely. We are not desperately trying to call out to Him...He came down to us.
- An anchor for justice. You're not angry at God. You're angry with God. God has indignation every day when He sees people made in His image abused, hurt, and violated by other human beings. He is a God of justice. And we want a God of justice. Without justice, there is no peace. Even when we know right or wrong, it doesn't necessarily make us right. Someone has to pay for justice. Jesus paid it all for us.
- Hope for a future. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, death cannot touch the Christian. It is merely a shadow that passes by us.
Quote
"Pain, suffering, and death was not the end for Him, and it awakens the hope and possibility that it's not the end for us. That suddenly what feels like a tragedy doesn't have to dominate our story, and hope begins to rise."
Ben Stuart
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Ben Stuart Ben Stuart is the pastor of Passion City Church D.C. Prior to joining Passion City Church, Ben served as the executive director of Breakaway Ministries on the campus of Texas A&M. He also earned a master’s degree in historical theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Donna, live to inspire and equip people to walk with God for a lifetime.
